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Overview

Discover the sophisticated beauty of calligraphy from around the world with this comprehensive, one-of-a-kind resource. Using visual examples accompanied by expert commentary, The World Encyclopedia of Calligraphy features 55 living scripts, including: Carolingian (Roman), Japanese Hiragana (Japanese), Thuluth (Arabic), Ü-Chen (Tibetan), and Yerushalmi (Hebrew). Each script includes an overview of its origins, traditions, and unique characteristics while an expanded description includes the kind of writing system used, the direction and sequence of the lines of continuous text, distinctions between majuscule and minuscule, and the principal writing tool. Both a step-by-step guide and sumptuous visual tour, this groundbreaking collection will teach and inspire novices, experts, and admirers alike.

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Product Details

About the Author

Christopher Calderhead is a lettering artist, author, and educator whose work has been exhibited in the United States and Great Britain. He is the editor and designer of Letter Arts Review, as well as the creator of the book series Letters from New York. He is also the author of numerous articles and reviews, and several books, including Calligraphy Studio: The Ultimate Introduction to the Art of Hand Lettering and Illuminating the Word: The Making of the Saint John's Bible. He teaches at both Pratt Institute and Bronx Community College, as well as offers calligraphy workshops through the Society of Scribes.

Holly Cohen is a writer, calligrapher, and jewelry designer. She studied calligraphy under Reggie Ezell. She has served on the Board of the Society of Scribes in New York and was a juror for the 2010 Letter Arts Review Annual Juried Issue. She was co-editor of Letters from New York.

Editorial Reviews

This lusciously illustrated book seems to be intended more as a reference resource than as a guidebook, but it functions well as both because of the authors' thorough treatment of form and attention to detail. Style sheets for dozens of alphabets with stroke-by-stroke analysis of each letter are included. Calderhead (Calligraphy Studio) and calligrapher Cohen explore beautifully handwritten texts in many languages and alphabets from regions around the world, discussing history and technique throughout. A few chapters specifically address writing instruments and other equipment. Hobbyist calligraphers, designers, and art students are likely to enjoy this encyclopedia.

Library Journal

…an excellent resource…In addition to illustrations of calligraphy in situ, the authors provide how-to charts, showing the proper pen or brush-stroke directions. Discussion of the right tools and techniques is essential. There is more to writing in tongues than meets the eye, and the authors explain the origins and nuances of writing in, say, Indic scripts or Cyrillic majuscules and minuscules in a voice that is thoroughly accessible and enjoyable.The New York Times Book Review

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

The World Encyclopedia of Calligraphy: The Ultimate Compendium on the Art of Fine Writing-History, Craft, Technique 4 out of 5based on
0 ratings.
1 reviews.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Beautiful displays, deeper coverage than I expected, given the breadth of the material, insightful historical context.
It's not for those who want to learn a new style, but for those who want to appreciate the craft as observers or practitioners.
You'll learn interesting answers to questions you didn't know enough to ask, and you will take something valuable away when you're done.